The Cheater Latte (in 3 minutes)

January 24, 2013

Is there anything afternoon coffee can’t cure? I doubt it. And this beaut is ready in 3 and 3.(Three ingredients and three minutes. I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to reference defunct dating shows?)

Back to business. The Cheater Latte is exactly what it sounds like. It tastes like a latte (and with minimal experimentation begins to taste like a really good latte), but takes a fifth of the effort. What’s not to love?

Here’s the quick 3-step process for making your own. I’m giving you the technique, just keep tasting and adjusting until you find the perfect “recipe” for your taste. I never measure mine. Ever. So I would have no idea what measurements to give you, anyway.

Try it out this week and let me know what you think!

How to Make a Cheater Latte

Heat a cup of milk in the microwave. I often heat mine in a glass measuring cup and then pour it into the mug. Sure it’s an extra step, but it solves the oops-I-let-the-milk-heat-too-long-and-now-it-has-a-film-on-top problem. (You can also do this on the stove, but not in 3 minutes.)

Add instant coffee or espresso. More for a bigger jolt and richer taste, less for the opposite. You’ll see I use VIA Decaf so I get the taste without the jolt.

Stir in some flavored syrup. I make my own vanilla syrup by dissolving 1.5 cups of sugar into a cup of water in a small saucepan over low heat, and then adding about a teaspoon of vanilla after removing the pan from the flame. I make other flavors, too, but that’s for another day.

And that’s it. Drink ‘er up and think of me. I’ll be drinking mine and thinking of some place cold enough to warrant a warm drink every afternoon.

My lovely M-I-L is coming to visit next week, so it remains to be seen whether regular posting will return next week or the week after. In preparing for her arrival, I’ve realized that though I love experimenting in the kitchen, I lack a repertoire of quick, crowd-pleasing yums to prepare after a day of adventure. I’ve cried for help on the Facebook Page; I’d love to hear your go-to guest foods if you can spare a sec! (And thanks in advance ;-))

Comments

I just thought I’d post my easy crowd pleaser! I usually do it in the crockpot, but mine just sprung a leak and so I was forced to do a stovetop version and it turned out just fine. My chicken tortillas soup is filling and nutritious, and super, duper easy! I basically just throw the following ingredients in, changing up the veggies according to what’s in my fridge:
– 1-2 chicken breasts
– 6-8-10 cups water (depending on how much you want to make)
– seasoning (salt, and then whatever Mexican seasoning strikes your fancy. I use Chipotle Chile Pepper and Adobo seasoning, which makes it, in my opinion. 🙂 )
– 2ish TBSP tomato paste (the only ingredient that’s a must)
– tomatoes
– carrots
– potatoes
– corn
– green peppers
– onion
– green chiles, if you have a can on hand
Boil everything for 2-3 hours, or about 8 hours in the crockpot. Your kitchen will smell amazing and everyone will tell you you’re an amazing cook. Top the soup with plain yogurt (poor man’s sour cream), ripe avocado (if you put some in that paper bag with the banana to ripen!), shredded cheese, and tortilla chips! Our favorite cheap brand over here is El Sabon, or Cantina Mexicana. They run about 6-8dhs a bag.
Good luck! Let me know how it turns out! Have an awesome visit, having family in town is the BEST!Katie recently posted..Soldier, Athlete, Farmer… Mom

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